Protection device and tool for fire hydrant

ABSTRACT

A protective device for preventing unauthorized use of a fire hydrant or the like having a cylindrical body and at least one cylindrical outlet extending therefrom. The apparatus includes a cover for hydraulically sealing the outlet and a clamping arrangement or clamp unit on the cover which has an extended condition in which the clamping arrangement is too large to be passed through the outlet and a retracted condition in which the clamping arrangement is sufficiently small to pass through the outlet. A control is operable through the cover to control the clamp unit to assume one of the aforesaid conditions. The clamp unit is insertable through the cylindrical outlet when in retracted condition and passes into the cylindrical body after which the clamp unit is released to assume the extended condition to prevent withdrawal thereof through the outlet whereby the cover on which the clamp unit is mounted is locked to the outlet. A tool is provided with clamps onto the cover. The cover is provided with a threaded bore through which a threaded member of the tool is rotated in order to drive a rod through a hole provided in the cover to operate the clamp unit. In some fire hydrants, a second cylindrical outlet is arranged adjacent the aforementioned cylindrical outlet and a cover is provided therefor, this cover being threadably engaged with the second cylindrical outlet and having an extension which is concealed and held in position by the first mentioned arrangement so that both the covers are locked on the respective cylindrical outlets.

i United States Patent [191 Belle PROTECTION DEVICE AND TOOL FOR FIREHYDRANT [76] Inventor: Louis Bello, 280 Henderson St.,

Jersey City, NJ. 07302 [22] Filed: Mar. 5, 1973 [2]] Appl. No.: 337,913

[52] US. Cl. 70/163; 137/296; 138/89; 220/323 [51] Int. Cl. B65D 55/14[58] Field of Search 137/296, 800, 300, 294;

85/3 R; 292/11, 29; 70/163, 167, 169, 171', 215/360; 220/55 E, 55 J, 55Y, 24.525, 323;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 468,782 2/1892 Brentano137/296 2,301,406 11/1942 Hopwood.... 220/25 2,436,016 2/1948 Myers220/25 2,465,727 3/1949 Jensen 220/55 L X 3,161,037 12/1964 Lagerquist70/169 X 3,379,209 4/1968 Spiselman 137/296 3,450,148 6/1969 Mongelluzzoet al. 137/296 3,456,463 7/1969 Mihalich 137/296 X PrimaryExaminer-Richard C. Queisser vAssistant Examiner-Daniel M. YasichAttorney, Agent, or; F irm-Roberts & Cohen 51 Oct. 28, 1975 of a firehydrant or the like having a cylindrical body and at least onecylindrical outlet extending therefrom. The apparatus includes a coverfor hydraulically sealing the outlet and a clamping arrangement or clampunit on the cover which has an extended condition in which the clampingarrangement is too large to be passed through the outlet and a retractedcondition in which the clamping arrangement is sufficiently small topass through the outlet. A control is operable through the cover tocontrol the clamp unit to assume one of the aforesaid conditions. Theclamp unit is insertable through the cylindrical outlet when inretracted condition and passes into the cylindrical body 7 after whichthe clamp unit is released to assume the extended condition to preventwithdrawal thereof through the outlet whereby the cover on which theclamp unit is mounted is locked to the outlet. A tool is provided withclamps onto the cover. The cover is provided with a threaded borethrough which a threaded member of the tool is rotated in order to drivea rod through a hole provided in the cover to operate the clamp unit. Insome fire hydrants, a second cylindrical outlet is arranged adjacent theaforementioned cylindrical outlet and a cover is provided therefor, thiscover being threadably engaged with the second cylindrical outlet andhaving an extension which is concealed and held in position by the firstmentioned arrangement so that both the covers are locked on therespective cylindrical outlets.

24 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures MIN MUM- ml!!! i i US. Patent Oct.28, 1975Sheet 10f4 3,914,966

US. Patent Oct. 28, 1975 Sheet 2 of4 3,914,966

U.S. Patent Oct. 28, 1975 Sheet4of4 3,914,966

/74 /60 W5 /76 f J74 PROTECTION DEVICE AND TOOL FOR FIRE I-IYDRANT FIELDOF INVENTION This invention relates to protection devices for preventingthe unauthorized use of fire hydrants or the like and to tools foroperating the same.

BACKGROUND It is known that dangerous conditions may arise due to theunauthorized operation of fire hydrants for purposes other than thoseoriginally intended. Specifically, if the unauthorized operation of alarge number of fire hydrants occurs, substantial water pressure may belost whereby fire department equipment is placed at a disadvantage withrespect to the fighting of fires or the like. I

In U.S. Pat. No. 3,556,131, a device is provided for preventing theunauthorized operation of fire hydrants by concealing a hexagonal memberwhich permits the operation of the fire hydrant and is located at thetop thereof. This is accomplished by permitting only limited access tothe hexagonal member which is concealed by connecting thereto a firstmember which is fixed thereon both axially and rotatably and bysupporting, on this first member, a freely rotatable member whichconceals the first member and prevents a rotative force from beingapplied to the hexagonal mem- -ber.

This device is generally suitable for preventing access to the firehydrants from above and can be used in conjunction with the presentinvention but is not generally suited for use in connection with thelateral cylindrical outlets with which many fire hydrants are provided.

In U.S. Pat. No. 3,453,897, which issued to Joseph N. Adinolfi, anexternal flange is provided around the bonnet of a hydrant concentricwit the bore therein with a valve actuating stem passing through thebore of a support plate provided over the standpipe of the hydrant, thestern further passing into the bore of a yolk secured to the plate. Thearrangement furthermore includes a rotatable rod mounted for axialmovement above and spaced from the stem projecting through the bore inthe bonnet, there being a clutch device in the yolk bore forinterengaging the stem and the rod and spring means spacing the rod fromthe interengaging clutch in a locked position whereby a force is appliedagainst the spring means to operate the clutch for interengaging the rodand stem so that the turning of the rod imparts motion to the stern. Atool is provided having a wrench for engaging the rod, a catch memberfor slidably engaging the flange of the bonnet and an arm for applyingleverage against the spring and for turning the rod.

The above arrangement is fairly well suited for the upper portion of afire hydrant but is not generally suitable for the lateral outletsprovided on fire hydrants as is commonly known.

Various other locks and tamper-proof valve controls are known, such as,for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,645,917 and 3,384,339. These devicesare generally not suited for the protection of the lateral extensions oroutlets of fire hydrants and are only slightly, if at all, re-

It is generally an object of the invention to provide improved means toprevent tampering with fire hydrants and the like.

It is another object of the invention to provide improved means forreducing the facility with which hydrants can be opened by unauthorizedpersons.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide improved means forpreventing the unauthorized operation of fire hydrants or the like whileat the same time affording convenient access to the same by authorizedpersonal such as firemen, policemen and the like.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide an improvedprotective device which can be readily installed upon existing firehydrants without the need for making special provisions in thepreviously installed hydrants.

Briefly, to achieve the above and other objects of the invention, thereis provided a protective device for preventing unauthorized use of afire hydrant or the like having a cylindrical body and at least onecylindrical outlet extending therefrom, said apparatus comprising acover for hydraulically sealing said outlet, a clamp means on said coverand having an extended condition in which the clamp means is too largeto pass through said outlet and a retracted condition in which the clampmeans is sufficiently small to pass through said outlet, and controlmeans operable through said cover to control said clamp means to assumeone of said conditions, said clamp means being insertable in retractedcondition through said outlet into said body whereat said clamp means ismodified by said control means to assume extended condition to preventwithdrawal thereof through said outlet whereby said cover, on which saidclamp means is mounted, is locked through said outlet.

According to a feature of the invention, the aforesaid control meansincludes a part detachably engageable with said cover, said cover havinga limited passage therethrough, said part including means to passthrough said passage and engage said clamp means.

According to a further feature of the invention, said part includes asection which is detachably connected to said cover in fixed position, athreaded member extending in threaded engagement through said section, ahandle on said threaded member to rotate the latter with mechanicaladvantage, and a rod on said threaded member to extend through thelimited passage in said cover.

In accordance with still a further feature of the invention, theaforesaid cover is provided with an annular groove and said partincludes groove engaging members to hold the said section on said cover.The groove engaging members according to one embodiment of the inventionmay be displaceable towards and away from each other to enablepositioning and holding the same in the aforesaid groove. In accordancewith another embodiment of the invention, the groove engaging membersmay be fixed on said part and the groove is provided with key ways toenable insertion of the groove engaging members into said groovewhereafter a turning of said part holds the groove engaging members insaid groove.

According to still another feature of the invention, the aforesaid clampmeans includes displaceable tongs, spring means loading said tongstowards maximum spacing from each other and a force transfer means toact on said tongs against said spring means in response to said rod tourge said tongs towards each other to enable insertion of the clampmeans through said outlet.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the cover includes a skirtthreadably engaging said outlet. According to another embodiment of theinvention, the cover includes a skirt which slips freely over the outletand is not threadably engaged therewith.

The cover in the aforesaid section may include interengaging meanspreventing rotation therebetween. In another variation of the invention,it is not necessary to use such interengaging means.

A further feature of the invention provides that the tongs are made withslots and the clamping means include pins engaged in these slots tocontrol the movement of the tongs towards and away from each other. Thetongs may include toes which move further away from and closer to thecover as the tongs move towards and away from each other respectively.

The aforesaid tongs may be pivoted on the cover and aforementioned slotsmay be of generally L-shaped configuration with legs connected at anobtuse angle.

In accordance with still a further feature of the invention, the firehydrant involved may be provided with a second cylindrical outlet on thecylindrical body and the apparatus of the invention may further comprisea second cover which is adapted for covering and hydraulically sealingthe second outlet, there being locking means on the first said cover toengage and lock the cover on the second outlet.

The spring means mentioned hereinabove may include two helical springsin parallel and the force transfer means may include a bridge betweenthe springs and extending transversely of the latter with a rodconnected to the bridge and aligned with the first said rod to beaxially engaged by the latter, the bridge engaging said tongs and beingacted on by said helical springs and normally urging the tongs tomaximum spacing from each other under the action of said springs.

In connection with the second cover mentioned hereinabove, this wouldinclude a threaded skirt for threadably engaging the associated secondoutlet and an extension may be provided on this second cover, thelocking means including a member on the first cover to conceal thisextension and to prevent movement of the extension to prevent unscrewingthe second cover from the second outlet.

According to a further feature of the invention, the extension may be ahandle pivotally connected to the second cover and displaceable in partinto a peripheral slot provided in the second cover.

According to further features of the invention, a tool may be providedfor a cover of the above noted type, said tool including a body sectionfor engaging over the aforesaid central portion and provided with a borealigned with the first said bore and at least partly threaded, therebeing a rod extending through the second said bore and threadablyengaged therein and adapted to extend into the first said bore, therebeing furthermore provided a first handle on the section to manipulatethe latter, a second handle on the second said rod to rotate the latter,and clamps on said section to engage in the aforesaid groove.

The invention will be more particularly described below with referenceto further objects, features and advantages thereof and with referenceto the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fire hydrant having a single lateralcylindrical outlet with a cover thereon and a tool for operating thesame in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken through line 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken through section line33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to that of FIG. 2 with the clamping means inretracted condition and with the tool applied to the arrangement;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 55 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view ofa fire hydrant provided with two lateralcylindrical outlets with access preventing devices applied thereto inaccordance with a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view illustrating the engagement of the tool ina groove in one of the covers and being more particularly across-sectional view taken along section line 88 in FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In FIG. 1 is illustrated generally a hydrant l0consisting of an upright cylindrical body or standpipe 12 atop which isa cover 14 affixed thereto by a polygonal member 16. This polygonalmember can be concealed or protected in ways not pertinent to theinvention and which are therefore not illustrated.

The hydrant 10 is furthermore provided with a cylindrical outlet 18 onwhich is mounted a cover 20 provided in accordance with the invention.The cover 20 is provided with a groove 22 which is engaged by the clamps24 and 26 of a tool generally indicated at 28. This tool furthermorecomprises a threaded member 30 extending through a threaded boreprovided in the section 32 of the tool and being rotated by means of ahandle 34 extending diametrically across the member 30.

The section 32 is moreover provided with diametrally extending handleparts 36 and 38 by means of which the tool is manipulated and positionedso that the clamps 24 and 26 are positioned in the groove 22 of thecover 20.

Centrally located in the face of the cover 20 is a recess 40, agenerally triangular cover section 42 being located therein andconstituting an engaging member for engaging a like recess in thesection 32 of tool 28 as will hereinafter be shown.

As will also be shown hereinafter, the section 42 is provided with apassage 44 presently obturated by a rod 46 both of these being axiallyaligned with the threaded member 30 as indicated by the axis 48. Thepurpose of all of this will be indicated with greater particularityhereinafter.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional section view taken through sectionline 22 of FIG. 1. Orientation between FIG. 2 and FIG. 1 may be readilyseen by observation of vertical cylindrical body 12 and cylindricaloutlet 18 as well as by cover 20.

As is seen in FIG. 1, the cover 20 is provided with a main body sectionhaving a skirt 62 depending therefrom. The skirt 62 is provided with twoannular ridges 64 and 66 between which is formed the aforementionedgroove 22. The skirt 62 is internally threaded as indicated at 68 andthere is a threaded engagement between the skirt 62 and the end portion70 of the cylindrical outlet 18.

Also seen in FIG. 2 is the passage 44 which extends through the cover 20and which may be described as a limited passage since its diameter isrelatively small, being in the order, for example, of from one-eighth tothree-eighths of an inch. This passage, it will be seen, is obturated bythe rod 46 which extends into the section 42 as in the illustrated stateof affairs in FIG. 2. As noted above, the outer end of rod 46 is flushwith the outer surface of section 42 under the illustrated conditions.

The cover 20 has shoulder portion 72 arranged internally thereof andadapted to seat against the planar extremity 74 of the cylindricaloutlet 18. This, at least in part, forms a hermetic or hydraulic sealfor the cylindrical outlet 18 but if desired, an O-ring can be utilizedand set against the shoulder 72 of the cover 20.

On the inside of the cover 20 is mounted a plate 76 which forms a partof the clamping device by means of which cover 20 is locked to thecylindrical outlet 18. This clamping device includes two tongs 78 and 80including toe sections 82 and 84 which engage against the internal wall86 of the upright cylindrical body 12. The tongs are pivotally mountedon pins 88 and 90 on supporting blocks 92 and 94 mounted on the plate76.

The tongs 78 and 80 are respectively provided with slots 96 and 98 whichare generally L-shaped slots having legs which are connected at anobtuse angle A.

The pins 100 and 102 are mounted on the respective extensions of abridge 104 which is engaged by a threaded bolt 106 with a block 108connected to a rod 1 which is in effect an axial extension of the rod46.

A helical spring 112 (which is one of a pair of such springs) isillustrated in FIG. 2, this spring being supported on a rod 114 having ahead 116 thereon which prevents the escape of the spring 112 from therod 1 14. The spring 112 bears at its distal end against a washer 1 18.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the tongs 78 and 80 are in their extendedcondition or in other words are displaced to the maximum distance awayfrom one another and such that the greatest transverse dimensionthereacross exceeds the internal diameter of the cylindrical outlet 18so that the cover cannot be pulled away from the cylindrical outlet 18due to the engagement of the toes 82 and 84 against the internal wall 86of the upright cylindrical body 12. This condition also provides thatthe outer end of rod 46 is flush with the outer surface of cover section42 and prevents the jamming of foreign material into passage 44.

FIG. 3 shows the toes 82 and 84 engaging against the internal wall 86 ofcylindrical body 12 and further illustrates the bridge 104 supportingthe tongs 78 and 80 with pins 100 and 102 riding in the L-shaped slotsprovided in the respective tongs. Also appearing in FIG. 3

is the helical spring 102 along with its companion helical spring 120which is symmetrically positioned on the opposite side of the bridge104.

The plate 76 mentioned hereinabove is affixed to the Although the tongs78 and are illustrated in FIG. 2 in extended position, they aredisplaceable towards one another and away from one another as shown bythe double headed arrow 130 in this figure. In addition, they areextendable away from and retractable towards the cover 20 as shown bydouble headed arrow 132. In fact, the condition illustrated in FIG. 2 isnot the normal condition of the apparatus for the insertion thereon intothe cylindrical outlet 18. The condition which is set up for thisoperation is next indicated with refer ence to FIG. 4.

In FIG. 4 is again shown the cylindrical body 12 with the cylindricaloutlet 18 extending laterally therefrom. Also will be seen the cover 20and the tool which is generally indicated at 28. The clamps 24 and 26which are mounted on the tool 28 are, it will be noted, displaceablefrom an original position shown in phantom lines to an inner positionshown in solid lines in which they more nearly approach one another andin which they engage in the groove 22 in order to hold the tool 28 onthe cover 20.

As will also be seen in FIG. 4, handle 34 is moved from its originalposition as shown in phantom lines to an advanced position as shown insolid lines by rotation thereof which results from rotation of thethreaded member 30 which due to its threaded engagement advances in thethreaded bore 134 in the section 32 of the tool 28.

It will be further noted that the section 32 has a depending skirt 138which has an interior recess which is the same shape as the section 42so that these two parts form interengaging members preventing rotationbetween the main portion of the tool and the cover 20.

The axial advancement of the threaded member 30 within the threaded bore134 advances a rod 136, which is an axial extension of the threadedmember 30, into the hole or limited passage 44 extending through section42 of the cover 20. This forces the rod 46 in axial direction in one ofthe directions indicated by the arrow 132. This in turn forces rod tothe left in FIG. 4 which in turn carries block 108 ahead of it therebyoperating to displace the bridge 104 to the left and also compressingsprings 112 and 120.

Displacement of the bridge 104 carries along the pins 100 and 102 whichare displaced in the slots 96 and 98 in the tongs 78 and 80 as a resultof which the tongs are drawn towards each other as indicated by thearrow whereupon the toes 82 and 84 are moved towards each other to anextent whereby their maximum transverse dimension is sufficiently smallto permit insertion of the same through the interior bore of thecylindrical outlet 18. It is in this retracted condition of the clampingdevice that the same may be inserted through the cylindrical outlet 18or withdrawn therefrom. Thus, in the case of mounting the cover 20 onthe cylindrical outlet 18 and locking the same to the fire hydrant, thetongs 78 and 80 are first brought to retracted condition and then thehandle 34 of the tool 28 counter-rotated to release the rod 46 andthereby the bridge 140 so that the tongs can move to the extendedcondition in FIG. 2. It will be noted that for purposes of conveniencein mounting the cover and locking the same to the fire hydrant the toes82 and 84 as well as the tongs 78 and 80 are disposed to move a greateror lesser distance from the cover 20 in accordance with whether thetongs are in extended or retracted condition. In other words, the toes82 and 84 are closer to the cover 20 in FIG. 2 in order to lock thecover firmly to the fire hydrant and resist displacement of said coverwhile, in FIG. 4, the toes 82 and 84 of the tongs 78 and 80 are agreater distance from the cover 20 to enable the tongs to be movedwithout any interference into the expanded or extended condition forlocking the cover on the hydrants.

FIG. is a fragmentary sectional view taken along section line 55 of FIG.4 and orientation with respect to FIG. 4 can be seen in the form ofsection 142 and skirt 138 of the tool 28. Herein can be seen the brokenaway portions of clamps 24 and 26 as well as the mounting brackets 140and 142 which slidably hold the clamps 24 and 26 on the part 36 of thetool 28.

A further embodiment of the invention appears in FIGS. 6-8 wherein isillustrated a protective device for a fire hydrant having twocylindrical outlets extending laterally therefrom.

In FIG. 6 appears a fire hydrant 150 having a top portion 152 lockedthereon by means ofa polygonal member 154. The second cylindricalextension or outlet appears at 156 and a cover 158 is provided for thefirst cylindrical extension whereas a cover 160 is provided for thesecond cylindrical extension. A different form of tool is indicated at162 and the operation of this arrangement will next be discussed withfurther reference to FIG. 7.

In FIG. 7 appears the first cylindrical extension 164 and the secondcylindrical extension 156. Cover 158 covers cylindrical extension 164and cover 160 covers cylindrical outlet 156.

The cover 158 has a skirt 168 which encircles the cylindrical outlet164. The inner surface of the skirt 168 is smooth and there is nothreaded engagement between the cover 158 and the cylindrical outlet164. This enables the cover 158 to be slipped onto the cylindricaloutlet 164 without rotation of the cover 158.

The cover 160, however, has a skirt 170 having an internally threadedportion or surface 172 which threadably engages the corresponding thread174 on the cylindrical outlet 156. This means that the cover 160 isfitted to the cylindrical outlet 156 by being rotatably and threadablyengaged therewith.

To facilitate the rotation and mounting of the cover 160, a handle 174is pivotally mounted in a slot provided in the skirt 170 enabling thehandle 174 to be pivoted from the position illustrated in solid lines tothe position illustrated in phantom lines in which latter position thehandle 174 may be used to facilitate threading the cover 160 on thecylindrical outlet 156.

It will also be noted that a pin 176 is provided on which the handle 174is pivotally mounted. A slot 178 is provided in which the pin 176 ridesin order to allow a certain axial displacement of the handle member 176relative to the cover 160. The purpose of this is to accommodate slightrotational adjustments of the cover 160 which may be necessary in orderto bring the handle 174 to the proper position for purposes of thisembodiment of the invention in which the handle 174 must be aligned inparallel with the axis of the cylindrical outlet 164 as will be shown.

The clamping arrangement with respect to cover 158 is essentially thesame as the clamping arrangement discussed hereinabove with reference toFIGS. 1-5. More specifically, the clamping arrangement includes tongs180 and 182 the positions of which are controlled by a pair of springssuch as indicated at 184 which are resistant to the displacement of abridge 186 on which are mounted pins 188 and 190 which are accommodatedin slots by means of which the tongs 180 and 182 are moved from extendedto retracted positions and vica versa.

However, in the illustrated embodiment and as is particularly evident inFIG. 7, the cover 158 is provided with a semi-tubular extension 192 alsoappearing in FIG. 6, the purpose of said tubular or semi-tubularextension being to accommodate therein the handle 174 which is bothconcealed and retained in position by said extension so that it isimpossible to rotate the cover and detach it from the threaded end ofthe cylindrical outlet 166.

In other words, the cover 160 is first threadably engaged with thecylindrical outlet 156, this action being facilitated by the use of thehandle 174, whereafter the handle 174 is pivoted into the position shownin solid lines after which the cover 158 is slid without threadedengagement in an axial direction over the cylindrical outlet 164 withthe semi-tubular member 192 engaging over and concealing and holding inposition the handle 174.

- The clamping of the cover 158 onto the cylindrical outlet 164 in themanner described above therefore serves the purpose not only of holdingthe cover 158 in position but furthermore it serves the purpose oflocking and securing the cover 160 in position so that the singleclamping unit on the cover 158 suffices for locking both covers inposition and thereby preventing unauthorized use of the hydrant.

The tool 166 used in connection with the embodiment illustrated in FIGS.6-8 is different from the first tool described hereinabove. It consistsof a handle 194 extending radially in only one direction from thecentral portion 196 of the tool. Portion 196, however, is provided witha threaded bore 200 through which extends a threaded member 202operating through a rod 204 in the manner indicated hereinabove. Thethreaded member 202, however, simply has thereon a crank 206 with ahandle 208 thereupon, this replacing the diametral handle member in thetool described hereinabove.

Furthermore, in the tool of the present embodiment, the clamps are fixedrelative to the section 196, these clamps consisting of the extremitiesof a diametral strap 209 at the ends of which are fixed clamps 210 asillustrated by way of example in FIG. 8. The clamps 210 are grooveengaging members engaging in the groove 212 in the skirt 214 of thecover to hold the tool on the cover to enable operation of the clampunit as described above relative to the prior embodiment.

Both embodiments of the invention share in common that a pair of tongsmay be retracted towards one another to enable the insertion of theassociated clamping unit through a laterally extending cylindricaloutlet of a hydrant, the clamping unit being mounted on a cover which isretained against the outlet of the hydrant by moving the tongs of theclamping unit to extended position whereat the toes of such tongs engageagainst the interior wall of the hydrant to lock the associated cover inin position. The second embodiment of the invention involves the furtherimprovement of locking a second cover in position by preventing therotation of the same and therefore the threaded disengagement of suchcover by firmly holding in position an extension on such second cover.By way of constituting a feature of the invention, such extension may beprovided in the form of a pivotal handle which facilitates putting thesecond cover into threaded engagement with the associated outlet.

From what has been stated above it will now be apparent that theinvention provides a protective apparatus for preventing unauthorizeduse of a fire hydrant or the like having a cylindrical outlet. As seenthe apparatus comprises a cover for hydraulically sealing the outlet,such as, for example, the outlet 18 in FIG. 1 and the outlets 156 and164 in FIG. 7. Moreover, there is provided a clamp means having anextended condition in which the clamp means is too large to pass throughthe associated outlet and a retracted condition to which the clamp meansis sufficiently small to pass through said outlet. Furthermore, acontrol means is provided which is operable through the cover to controlthe clamp means to assume one of the aforesaid conditions, said clampmeans being insertable in retracted condition through the outlet intothe body whereat the clamp means is modified or expanded by said controlmeans to assume the extended condition to prevent withdrawal thereofthrough the outlet whereby the cover, on which said clamp means ismounted, is locked to said outlet.

As a feature of the invention, it has been shown that the control meansincludes a part detachably engaged with the aforesaid cover, said coverhaving a limited passage such as for example, the passage 44 in FIG. 2therethrough, said part including means to pass through said passage andengage said clamp means, such part being, for example, the rod 136 whichis an extension of the threaded member 30 as appears in FIG. 4.

As a further feature of the invention the aforesaid part includes asection which is detachably connected to said cover in fixed position,this being, for example the section 32 as appears in FIG. 1. A threadedmember which is the threaded member 30 extends in threaded engagementthrough the aforesaid section and a handle, such as the handle 34 inFIG. 1, is provided on the threaded member to rotate the latter withmechanical advantage so that the rod 136 on the threaded member 30extends through the limited passage 44 in the cover 20, all as appearsin the embodiment of FIGS. l5 and is also substantially employed intheembodiment of FIGS. 6-8.

As has also been shown, the cover is provided with an annular groove andthe aforesaid part includes groove engaging members such as the clamps24 and 26 in FIG. 1 and such as the clamp 210 in FIG. 8 to hold the toolwhich operates the clamping means on the aforesaid cover. In the firstembodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, the grooveengaging members are displaceable towards and away from each other toenable positioning and holding the same in the associated groove. In theembodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 6-8, the groove engagingmembers or clamps are fixed on a strap forming part of the tool and thegroove is provided with key ways such as is indicated at 216 in FIG. 6and also at 216 and 218 in FIG.

. loading the tongs towards maximum spacing from each It has also beenshown above that the clamp means other, there being a force transfermeans such as, for example, the bridge 104 in FIG. 2 to act on the tongsagainst the spring means in response to the rod such as the rods 46 andin FIG. 2 to urge the tongs towards each other to enable insertion ofthe clamp means through the associated outlet.

In the embodiment of FIGS. l-5 the cover includes a skirt threadablyengaging the associated outlet. In the embodiment of FIGS. 6-8, the maincover fits slidably on the associated outlet without threadably engagingthe same, whereas the secondary outlet is provided with a threaded endwhich threadably engages with the skirt of the associated cover.

As a feature of one embodiment of the invention, the cover and relatedsection of the tool include interengaging means preventing rotationtherebetween, as is seen in the form of the section 42 in the cover ofFIG. 1 and in the recess provided in the skirt 138 of the tool asappears in FIG. 4.

It has also been shown that the tongs are provided with slots such as,for example, the slots 96 and 98 in FIG. 2 and that the clamping meansinclude pins such as the pins 100 and 102 which are engaged in theseslots to control the movement of the tongs towards and away from eachother. The tongs it will be noted include toes such as the toes 82 and84 which move further away from and closer to said cover as the tongsmove towards and away from each other respectively as indicated by thearrows and 132 shown by way of example in FIG. 2.

Also indicated in the above description is the pivotal connection of thetongs by means of pins 88 and 90 to a plate attached to the cover 20.Furthermore, it will be noted that the slots provided in the tongs 78and 80 are generally of L-shape whereof the legs are connected at anobtuse angle such as has been indicated at angle A in FIG. 2.

By way of a further specific feature of the invention, the aforesaidspring means include two helical springs in parallel and the above notedforce transfer means includes a bridge between the springs and extendingtransversely of the latter and a rod connected to the bridge and alignedwith the first said rod to be axially engaged by the latter, the secondsaid rod being adapted to obturate the passage extending through thecover, said bridge engaging said tongs and being acted on by saidhelical springs, said bridge normally urging said tongs to maximumspacing from each other under the action of said springs.

As the second embodiment of the invention there has been shown a firehydrant comprising a second cylindrical outlet on the verticalcylindrical body, said apparatus further comprising a second cover whichis adapted for covering and hydraulically sealing said second outlet andlocking means on the first said cover to engage and lock the second saidcover on the second outlet, said locking means including withoutlimitation the semi-tubular extension 192 appearing, for example, inFIG. 7 and operating in cooperation with the handle 174.

Other objects and features of the invention include the provision of atool for a cover provided with an annular groove as discussed above andhaving a central portion provided with a bore therethrough for access toa locking device included on said cover in the form of a clamping means.This tool includes a body section for engaging over said central portionof the cover and provided with a bore aligned with the bore in theaforesaid cover and at least partly threaded, a rod extending throughthe second said bore and threadably engaged therein and adapted toextend into the bore of the cover, a first handle on said section tomanipulate the latter, a second handle on the second said rod to rotatethe latter and clamps on said section to engage in said groove.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparentfrom the aforegoing description. The invention, however, it not to beconsidered as limited to the embodiments of the aforegoing descriptionand are limited only as appears in the claims which follow hereinafter.

What is claimed is:

1. Protective apparatus for a fire hydrant or the like having acylindrical body and at least one cylindrical outlet extending laterallytherefrom, said apparatus comprising a cover for hydraulically sealingsaid outlet, said cover having a side adapted to face said cylindricaloutlet, a clamp means coupled to said side of the cover and having anextended condition in which the clamp means is too large to pass throughsaid outlet and a retracted condition in which the clamp means issufficiently small to pass through said outlet, and control meansextending through said cover and operable to control said clamp means toassume one of said conditions, said clamp means being insertable inretracted condition through said outlet into said body whereat saidclamp means is modified by said control means to assume extendedcondition to prevent withdrawal thereof through said outlet whereby saidcover, on which said clamp means is mounted, is locked to said outlet,said control means including a part detachably engageable with saidcover, said cover having a limited passage therethrough, said partincluding means to pass through said passage and engage said clampmeans, said part including a section which is detachably connectible tosaid cover in fixed position, a threaded member extending in threadedengagement through said section, a handle on said threaded member torotate the latter and a rod on said threaded member to extend throughthe limited passage in said cover, the rod obturating the passage andhaving an outer end flush with the cover with the clamp means inextended condition.

2. Protective apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cover isprovided with an annular groove and said part includes groove engagingmembers to hold the said section on said cover.

3. Protective apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the grooveengaging members are displaceable towards and away from each other toenable positioning and holding the same in said groove.

4. Protective apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the grooveengaging members are fixed on said part and the grooves provided withkey ways to enable insertion of the groove engaging members into saidgroove whereafter a turning of said part holds the groove engagingmembers in said groove.

5. Protective apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said clamp meansincludes displaceable tongs, spring means loading said tongs towardsmaximum spacing from each other, and force transfer means to act on saidtongs against said spring means in response to said rod to urge saidtongs towards each other to enable insertion of the clamps means throughsaid outlet.

6. Protective apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said coverincludes a skirt threadably engaging said outlet.

7. Protective apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said coverincludes a skirt which slips freely over said outlet.

8. Protective apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said cover andsection include interengaging means preventing rotation therebetween.

9. Protective apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said tongs includetoes which move further away from and closer to said cover as the tongsmove towards and away from each other respectively.

10. Protective apparatus as claimed in claim 5 comprising means pivotingsaid tongs on said cover.

11. Protective apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said tongs areprovided with slots and said clamp means include pins engaged in saidslots to control the movement of the tongs towards and away from eachother.

12. Protective apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein said slots aregenerally L-shaped with legs connected at an obtuse angle.

13. Protective apparatus as claimed in claim 1, comprising a secondcylindrical outlet on said cylindrical body, said apparatus furthercomprising a second cover, said second cover being adapted for coveringand hydraulically sealing said second outlet, and locking means on thefirst said cover to engage and lock the second cover on said secondoutlet.

14. Protective apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein said secondcover includes a threaded skirt for threadably engaging said secondoutlet, comprising an extension laterally protruding from said secondcover, said locking means including a member on the first said cover toconceal said extension and to prevent movement of said extension toprevent unscrewing said second cover from said second outlet.

15. Protective apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein said extensionis a handle pivotally connected to said second cover and displaceable inpart into a peripheral slot provided in said second cover.

16. Protective apparatus as claimed in claim 15 wherein said member is asemi-tubular part rigidly mounted on the first said cover to extendalong the first said outlet.

17. Protective apparatus as claimed in claim 16 wherein said handle isrespectively displaceable transversely and longitudinally of saidthreaded skirt.

18. Protective apparatus asclaimed in claim 5 wherein said spring meansincludes two helical springs in parallel and said force transfer meansincludes a bridge between said springs and extending transversely of thelatter and a rod connected to said bridge and aligned with the firstsaid rod to be axially engaged by the latter, the second said rod beingadapted to obturate the passage extending through the cover, said bridgeengaging said tongs and being acted on by said helical springs, saidbridge normally urging said tongs to maximum spacing from each otherunder the action of said springs.

19. Protective apparatus as claimed in claim 18, comprising a secondcylindrical outlet on said cylindrical body, said apparatus furthercomprising a second cover, said second cover being adapted for coveringand hydraulically sealing said second outlet, and locking means on thefirst said cover to engage and lock the second cover on said secondoutlet.

20. Protective apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein said secondcover includes a threaded skirt for threadably engaging said secondoutlet, comprising an extension on said second cover, said locking meansincluding a member on the first said cover to conceal said extension andto prevent movement of said extension to prevent unscrewing said secondcover from said second outlet.

21. Protective apparatus as claimed in claim wherein said extension is ahandle pivotally connected to said second cover and displaceable in partinto a peripheral slot provided in said second cover.

22. Protective apparatus as claimed in claim 21 wherein said member is asemi-tubular part rigidly mounted on the first said cover to extendalong the first said outlet.

23. Protective apparatus as claimed in claim 22 wherein said handle isrespectively displaceable transversely and longitudinally of saidthreaded skirt.

24. Protective apparatus for a fire hydrant or the like having acylindrical body and at least one cylindrical outlet extending laterallytherefrom, said apparatus comprising a cover for hydraulically sealingsaid outlet, said cover having a side adapted to face said cylindricaloutlet, a clamp means coupled to said side of the cover and having anextended condition in which the clamp means is too large to pass throughsaid outlet and a retracted condition in which the clamp means issufficiently small to pass through said outlet, and control meansextending through said cover and operable to control said clamp means toassume one of said conditions, said clamp means being insertable inretracted condition through said outlet into said body whereat saidclamp means is modified by said control means to assume extendedcondition to prevent withdrawal thereof through said outlet whereby saidcover, on which said clamp means is mounted, is locked to said outlet;said control means including a part detachably engageable with saidcover, said cover having a limited passage therethrough, said partincluding means to pass through said passage and engage said clampmeans; said part including a section which is detachably connectible tosaid cover in fixed position, a threaded member extending in threadedengagement through said section, a handle on said threaded member torotate the latter and a rod on said threaded member to extend throughthe limited passage in said cover; said clamp means includingdisplaceable tongs, spring means loading said tongs towards maximumspacing from each other, and force transfer means to act on said tongsagainst said spring means in response to said rod to urge said tongstowards each other to enable insertion of the clamp means through saidoutlet; said spring means including two helical springs in parallel andsaid force transfer means including a bridge between said springs andextending transversely of the latter and a rod connected to said bridgeand aligned with the first said rod to be axially engaged by the latter,the second said rod being adapted to obturate the passage extendingthrough the cover, said bridge engaging said tongs and being acted on bysaid helical springs, said bridge normally urging said tongs to maximumspacing from each other under the action of said springs.

1. Protective apparatus for a fire hydrant or the like having acylindrical body and at least one cylindrical outlet extending laterallytherefrom, said apparatus comprising a cover for hydraulically sealingsaid outlet, said cover having a side adapted to face said cylindricaloutlet, a clamp means coupled to said side of the cover and having anextended condition in which the clamp means is too large to pass throughsaid outlet and a retracted condition in which the clamp means issufficiently small to pass through said outlet, and control meansextending through said cover and operable to control said clamp means toassume one of said conditions, said clamp means being insertable inretracted condition through said outlet into said body whereat saidclamp means is modified by said control means to assume extendedcondition to prevent withdrawal thereof through said outlet whereby saidcover, on which said clamp means is mounted, is locked to said outlet,said control means including a part detachably engageable with saidcover, said cover having a limited passage therethrough, said partincluding means to pass through said passage and engage said clampmeans, said part including a section which is detachably connectible tosaid cover in fixed position, a threaded member extending in threadedengagement through said section, a handle on said threaded member torotate the latter and a rod on said threaded member to extend throughthe limited passage in said cover, the rod obturating the passage andhaving an outer end flush with the cover with the clamp means inextended condition.
 2. Protective apparatus as claimed in claim 1wherein said cover is provided with an annular groove and said partincludes groove engaging members to hold the said section on said cover.3. Protective apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the grooveengaging members are displaceable towards and away from each other toenable positioning and holding the same in said groove.
 4. Protectiveapparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the groove engaging members arefixed on said part and the grooves provided with key ways to enableinsertion of the groove engaging members into said groove whereafter aturning of said part holds the groove engaging members in said groove.5. Protective apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said clamp meansincludes displaceable tongs, spring means loading said tongs towardsmaximum spacing from each other, and force transfer means to act on saidtongs against said spring means in response to said rod to urge saidtongs towards each other to enable insertion of the clamps means throughsaid outlet.
 6. Protective apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein saidcover includes a skirt threadably engaging said outlet.
 7. Protectiveapparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said cover includes a skirtwhich slips freely over said outlet.
 8. Protective apparatus as claimedin claim 5 wherein said cover and section include interengaging meanspreventing rotation therebetween.
 9. Protective apparatus as claimed inclaim 5 wherein said tongs include toes which move further away from andcloser to said cover as the tongs move towards and away from each otherrespectively.
 10. Protective apparatus as claimed in claim 5 comprisingmeans pivoting said tongs on said cover.
 11. Protective apparatus asclaimeD in claim 5 wherein said tongs are provided with slots and saidclamp means include pins engaged in said slots to control the movementof the tongs towards and away from each other.
 12. Protective apparatusas claimed in claim 11 wherein said slots are generally L-shaped withlegs connected at an obtuse angle.
 13. Protective apparatus as claimedin claim 1, comprising a second cylindrical outlet on said cylindricalbody, said apparatus further comprising a second cover, said secondcover being adapted for covering and hydraulically sealing said secondoutlet, and locking means on the first said cover to engage and lock thesecond cover on said second outlet.
 14. Protective apparatus as claimedin claim 13, wherein said second cover includes a threaded skirt forthreadably engaging said second outlet, comprising an extensionlaterally protruding from said second cover, said locking meansincluding a member on the first said cover to conceal said extension andto prevent movement of said extension to prevent unscrewing said secondcover from said second outlet.
 15. Protective apparatus as claimed inclaim 14 wherein said extension is a handle pivotally connected to saidsecond cover and displaceable in part into a peripheral slot provided insaid second cover.
 16. Protective apparatus as claimed in claim 15wherein said member is a semi-tubular part rigidly mounted on the firstsaid cover to extend along the first said outlet.
 17. Protectiveapparatus as claimed in claim 16 wherein said handle is respectivelydisplaceable transversely and longitudinally of said threaded skirt. 18.Protective apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said spring meansincludes two helical springs in parallel and said force transfer meansincludes a bridge between said springs and extending transversely of thelatter and a rod connected to said bridge and aligned with the firstsaid rod to be axially engaged by the latter, the second said rod beingadapted to obturate the passage extending through the cover, said bridgeengaging said tongs and being acted on by said helical springs, saidbridge normally urging said tongs to maximum spacing from each otherunder the action of said springs.
 19. Protective apparatus as claimed inclaim 18, comprising a second cylindrical outlet on said cylindricalbody, said apparatus further comprising a second cover, said secondcover being adapted for covering and hydraulically sealing said secondoutlet, and locking means on the first said cover to engage and lock thesecond cover on said second outlet.
 20. Protective apparatus as claimedin claim 19, wherein said second cover includes a threaded skirt forthreadably engaging said second outlet, comprising an extension on saidsecond cover, said locking means including a member on the first saidcover to conceal said extension and to prevent movement of saidextension to prevent unscrewing said second cover from said secondoutlet.
 21. Protective apparatus as claimed in claim 20 wherein saidextension is a handle pivotally connected to said second cover anddisplaceable in part into a peripheral slot provided in said secondcover.
 22. Protective apparatus as claimed in claim 21 wherein saidmember is a semi-tubular part rigidly mounted on the first said cover toextend along the first said outlet.
 23. Protective apparatus as claimedin claim 22 wherein said handle is respectively displaceabletransversely and longitudinally of said threaded skirt.
 24. Protectiveapparatus for a fire hydrant or the like having a cylindrical body andat least one cylindrical outlet extending laterally therefrom, saidapparatus comprising a cover for hydraulically sealing said outlet, saidcover having a side adapted to face said cylindrical outlet, a clampmeans coupled to said side of the cover and having an extended conditionin which the clamp means is too large to pass through said outlet and aretracted condition in which the clamp means is sufficiently small topass through said outleT, and control means extending through said coverand operable to control said clamp means to assume one of saidconditions, said clamp means being insertable in retracted conditionthrough said outlet into said body whereat said clamp means is modifiedby said control means to assume extended condition to prevent withdrawalthereof through said outlet whereby said cover, on which said clampmeans is mounted, is locked to said outlet; said control means includinga part detachably engageable with said cover, said cover having alimited passage therethrough, said part including means to pass throughsaid passage and engage said clamp means; said part including a sectionwhich is detachably connectible to said cover in fixed position, athreaded member extending in threaded engagement through said section, ahandle on said threaded member to rotate the latter and a rod on saidthreaded member to extend through the limited passage in said cover;said clamp means including displaceable tongs, spring means loading saidtongs towards maximum spacing from each other, and force transfer meansto act on said tongs against said spring means in response to said rodto urge said tongs towards each other to enable insertion of the clampmeans through said outlet; said spring means including two helicalsprings in parallel and said force transfer means including a bridgebetween said springs and extending transversely of the latter and a rodconnected to said bridge and aligned with the first said rod to beaxially engaged by the latter, the second said rod being adapted toobturate the passage extending through the cover, said bridge engagingsaid tongs and being acted on by said helical springs, said bridgenormally urging said tongs to maximum spacing from each other under theaction of said springs.